SOUTH AFRICA: Spear Safaris - Greater Kruger / North Limpopo

Father’s Day
6/21/2026

This trip was not intentionally planned around Father’s Day. I just accepted the dates Ernest and Marita offered. Had I connected those dots, I might not have booked this particular trip. I would have been worried about taking Sam away from his wife and young daughter on his very first Father’s Day.
But, after conferring with the wives about the dates and figuring out the trip included Father’s Day we chose to make it happen.

I feel beyond blessed to have loving, supportive ladies in our family, all of whom were excited for me to have the opportunity to spend Father’s Day on safari in Africa alongside my two sons. It could not have worked out any better for our (first) African adventure.

Father’s Day arrived wet and cold. Too wet, in fact, to hunt the morning. We spent time sitting in front of the warm fire reading, resting and hoping for better weather. Throughout the day, conditions improved. The boys and I went for a couple walks as the weather cleared and just enjoyed the quiet time together.



The afternoon weather improved dramatically and around 3:00, Ernest decided we should go out around the camp area and try to find an Impala for me so we loaded up and set out.

We began to see game almost immediately. A Duiker and beautiful Kudu bull before we even got off the camp road.

After a short drive, it was decided that Dean would walk me into a waterhole area as Impala frequent there. Sure enough, there was a herd nearby but after looking them over, the ram with them was nothing special and they eventually moved off.

As we took a circuitous route back to the truck, we crossed the dam above the waterhole. Halfway across I was working around a thorny Acacia tree and took a hard fall off the dam. I made the attempt to keep the rifle safe but both the Steyr SM12 and I took quite an impact. I’m apparently not made of rubber like I used to be. Anyway, no major injuries, just bruised pride and a nicked up rifle. The hunt continues.

We took another drive from there and walked to another waterhole where we found a large herd with a nice ram in the brush around 140 yards away. I got on the sticks and executed the perfect….. miss. I still don’t understand how. Frustrated and dejected, we continued on. I want to blame the fall/rifle but.... I'm now 100% sure it was operator error.

A short time later, we found another herd and I was back up to bat. This time was different. Two rams were fighting and when they separated, one shot and I was redeemed on a larger ram than the one I had missed.

Father’s Day success, with my sons alongside. Perfection.

I made a request for a special photo op to Ernest and being the great PH and host that he is, he enthusiastically obliged.


We spent the last daylight hour up on top of their sundowner spot taking in the sights and sounds of the African dusk.


At dinner, Celia had a special surprise in store. Besides the usual fantastic dinner, she prepared a Father’s Day cake. Special and delicious.



Tomorrow our attention returns to Eland as our time winds down. Two hunting days remain.

Monday-Two Days Left
6/22/2026

The morning started cool and damp in more ways than one.

First, the boiler for my room apparently went down overnight so I had the pleasure of an exhilarating cold shower to start the day.

Next, the weather is still cool, overcast and damp.

We headed out in search of Eland once again. Dean and Colton were to climb one of the many rock mountains to glass the area we were hunting. We were looking for tracks.

Thanks to the Sunday rain, we had very good tracking conditions and got on fresh tracks early. Once the plan was discussed by Ernest and the trackers John and Reflex, we took up the trail. It was a group of 4-5 bulls including one significantly larger track. We followed the trail for over two hours as the trail meandered through the bush, gaining ground as we went. A little over three miles in, we bumped a group of animals and they thundered off through the Mopané. We had assumed that we had bumped the Eland but the trail showed it was Zebra. We circled back and got on the Eland trail once again. Soon we found they were running and we picked up our pace. The winds had been very gusty and variable for three days now. The now easy to follow track continued for several hundred more yards and we gave up the pursuit when we hit the next road.

We broke for lunch and then went back at it for the afternoon. More tracking and glassing from a rocky outcropping but no Eland. We did see Kudu, Gemsbuck and Zebras.

We called it a day and headed back to camp for the evening fire and popcorn followed by another great dinner prepared by Cecelia.

Today, like any day in Africa, was special even without a harvest.

One more opportunity for Eland tomorrow morning. In the afternoon, we will pack and hunt around camp for Duiker, Steenbuck, Pigs of any variety and maybe with a stroke of luck, some sort of surprise opportunity.

I am going to be out of pocket for a bit so I will go ahead and drop the last couple of installments today and wrap this up. The trip was a privilege, sharing it has bee a pleasure. Thanks to all who followed along!

Last Hunting Day
6/23/2026

The dawn broke quite chilly this morning.

Breakfast as usual at 6:30 and camp departure at 7:00.

We headed back to the other end of the concession once again in search of Eland. It is about a 45 minute ride in the open-air Land Cruiser

Dean climbed one of the many giant kopjes to glass for Eland and other things.

Once we had made the 45 minute ride across the property, we began looking for tracks in the same area we had tracked in yesterday. We found fresh tracks immediately but as we were making preparations to get on the trail, we got a call on the radio from Dean. He had eyes on a group of 5 Eland bulls, two of which were shooters. They were in-spooked and walking in a consistent direction.

We jumped back into the Land Cruiser and made the 25 minute drive into the area and set out on foot to cut them off as they crossed an internal road into the next block. We hustled to where we believed they would cross but all we found was that we were too late. They had already crossed. We then made the decision to backtrack and walk the road parallel to their direction of travel. The wind was wrong as it had been for the past three days and about half an hour in we heard them run and shortly thereafter found their running tracks crossing into the next block. They must have gotten our wind. Game over.

One side note. During the last leg of that stroll, shortly before the Eland spooked, we jumped an Aardwolf. Super cool moment. Unfortunately no picture opportunities.

We reverted to plan B and went back to the tracks that we had found before Dean spotted the bulls that got away.

We fell in behind our tracker, Reflex, and set out on the meandering trail of a small group of Eland bulls. As we moved along the track, the sign got fresher and fresher. It felt like we were finally going to make something happen. I will go ahead and cut to the end. When we came up out of a dry stream bed, the next tracks we found were now running. Once again game over.



Unfortunately, that wraps up my first Eland hunting experience. It left me wanting more. Maybe I will win the eventual rematch.

On the drive back to camp, we got the pleasure of seeing a massive black Giraffe bull. I briefly pondered taking him but preferred at this moment to just watch in awe.



After lunch, we decided to take a short drive in the general vicinity of camp and see what might turn up since we had a couple hours to kill before our safari ending sundowner.

We saw Buffalo, Impala, Warthogs and most importantly, a single beautiful Steenbuck. I baled out of the Land Cruiser, came around the side and made the shot as he prepared to launch. Quite the opposite of the Eland Bull I had hoped to collect but what a cool trophy and a great way to end an amazing experience.



After our sundowner, dinner was Gemsbuck, Kudu and Buffalo steaks cooked over the open fire. I was almost too full to pack for the return trip to JNB and ultimately home.

Departure Day
6/24/2026

Camp was stirring early.

I was outside for the sunrise and the sounds beside the fire. One last glow of light and radiant warmth. One last quiet moment before we begin the long trip back to real life and responsibility.



As the sun rises, I miss my wife and daughter’s in-law and my sweet, beautiful granddaughter. I even miss my little dog and my work family. Time to readjust to the actual world. The quickened pace, the obligations.

After a long flight, we will land in Atlanta early tomorrow morning and return to what I will call normalcy. This normalcy can be numbing and depressing. It can make us lethargic and unappreciative of what we have.

Africa has reminded me that life is what we make of it. This trip has re-ignited my appreciation for the lives we have. The family, friends and lifestyle we have built can’t be taken for granted.

As we left the gate of the Matolege concession, the Giraffes and Impala bid us farewell.

This trip will always hold a place of fondness in my memories. Africa with my sons. Gratitude abounds.

Until next time…..

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This.

Really enjoyed the write up!

I may have missed it but what are your taxidermy plans if any?

Great report thankyou.

Great report. I think it would have been very difficult to have had a better trip. I’ve taken one buffalo adjacent Kruger. The buffalo numbers and other game made it a great experience, but the spot and stalk hunting left me wanting a tracking hunt elsewhere. I’m not sure where else though you could have taken 3 buffalo in 3 days in the age classes you did hunting together. I’m very impressed with your hunt.

Great report Eddie, I can’t wait!

Well sh*t, I can't eat popcorn, due to a medical condition. Well, I guess I'll have to watch everyone else eat popcorn.

What an amazing trip, and some wonderful memories to last a life time. You guys killed some beautiful animals! Congratulations to all.

Thank you for taking the time to take us along your safari. Well done.

Hunt anything said:

Really enjoyed the write up!

I may have missed it but what are your taxidermy plans if any?

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Thank you! I am doing a shoulder on my Bushbuck and my Impala. Skulls on everything else. Hides on the Buffalo, Wildebeest and the Nyala. Colton is shouldering the Buffalo and Blesbuck plus hides and skulls on all else. Sam is doing all skulls plus hides on the Kudu, Zebra and Impala.

375Fox said:

Great report. I think it would have been very difficult to have had a better trip. I’ve taken one buffalo adjacent Kruger. The buffalo numbers and other game made it a great experience, but the spot and stalk hunting left me wanting a tracking hunt elsewhere. I’m not sure where else though you could have taken 3 buffalo in 3 days in the age classes you did hunting together. I’m very impressed with your hunt.

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Thank you!. I got an (unsuccessful) taste of tracking Eland. I loved it. Makes me want to do the same on Buffalo.

Congratulations on an amazing hunt! Makes me want to take my wife and kids over there to hunt once the kids are older. Maybe I will be able to afford a trip by then. Lol

Fantastic report, thanks for putting in all the effort to document the hunt so carefully, and it sounds like you had a great time with your sons.

CloudySkies said:

Fantastic report, thanks for putting in all the effort to document the hunt so carefully, and it sounds like you had a great time with your sons.

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Thank you! I enjoyed keeping a record and being able to share it here. One day, I will have this record to reflect upon..

This was a really great report. You guys took some beautiful animals, especially those buff. I had the good fortune of hunting with my son on my first safari. There is nothing like it. He didn't make the second one, but I suspect that won't be the case next time.

Congratulations, and thanks for taking us along.

Congrats on a great trip with your boys!

Absolutely fantastic write up! Next year I will be in Africa during Father’s Day with my dad, 2 of my sons, and my daughter. Looking forward to that more everyday.

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Again a great write up. Thank you for taking the time to post it. What a great family result ! Especially like your impala ! A serious ram.

Congratulations to the three of you plus Ernest & team.


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